SIBU: Bawang Assan assemblyman Datuk Seri Wong Soon Koh has thrown his full weight behind Datuk Fazzrudin Abdul Rahman’s call for the federal government to swiftly clarify the Petros-Petronas gas solution.
“Sarawak’s people stand firmly behind Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg’s unwavering stance that Petros’ appointment as the state’s sole gas aggregator is non-negotiable,” Wong, who is also Progressive Democratic Party (PDP) Senior Vice President, said in a statement today (Dec 28).
He stressed that the Gas Ordinance 2016, amended in 2023, is the law of the land, and all parties, including Petronas, are bound by its licensing requirements.
“Petronas must abide by our laws when operating within Sarawak. It is a statutory obligation that they must honour,” he said.
Wong pointed out that the total value of petroleum and gas extracted by Petronas and the federal government in Sarawak from 1974 to 2014, under the Petroleum Development Act (PDA) 1974, exceeded RM1 trillion.
“Yet, Sarawak received a mere RM50 billion, a paltry five per cent of the cash payment as stipulated in Section 4 of the PDA,” he lamented.
He urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim to swiftly resolve the gas distribution impasse.
Furthermore, Wong called for the return of Sarawak’s tax rights, arguing that the state’s significant contributions are disproportionately utilised in Peninsular Malaysia while Sarawak remains neglected.
He also expressed grave concerns over the recent e-invoice implementation, asserting that it disproportionately impacts small businesses.
“While large corporations can afford professional assistance to adapt, small traders, often with limited education and resources, are struggling to cope,” he said.
He criticised the e-invoice system’s rigid, one-size-fits-all approach as impractical, emphasising that policies should alleviate burdens, not exacerbate them.
Sarawak needs to reclaim its tax authority to ensure that policies implemented within the state are fully aligned with local priorities.
“By regaining control over taxation, Sarawak can tailor its fiscal strategies to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by its communities, fostering sustainable development and safeguarding the interests of its people,” he added.
